Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Barney

Barney

♂ Boy

Pronounced BAR-nee /ˈbɑr.ni/High

Meaning: A short form of Barnaby/Barnabas ('a son of consolation', Aramaic) or Bernard ('brave/strong as a bear', Germanic); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A son of consolation; brave as a bear: Barney forms Barnaby/Bernard. Crisp, vintage, and warm (said 'BAR-nee'). Routes layered.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowAramaic, Germanic
MeaningA short form of Barnaby/Barnabas ('a son of consolation', Aramaic) or Bernard ('brave/strong as a bear', Germanic); routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#12274 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1919
Total births (all-time)≈ 16,090

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191918802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Barney is a short form of Barnaby/Barnabas ('a son of consolation', Aramaic) or Bernard ('brave/strong as a bear', Germanic; routes layered, which we note). A crisp, vintage name (said 'BAR-nee').

In the U.S. it appears as a vintage short form. Rare on its own, a-son-of-consolation at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Barney is a short form of Barnaby ('a son of consolation') or Bernard ('brave as a bear') — a crisp, friendly vintage name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'BAR-nee').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Barney — Aramaic/Germanic; routes layered

Variations

BarnabyBernardBarnie

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Barney…

Barnaby— a source name
Bernard— a source name
Arnie— a fellow -nie vintage boys' name
Ernie— a companion -nie vintage boys' name

Explore names like Barney

By themeuncertaingermanicaramaic
By meaningStrengthBrave / Courage

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Barney mean?

Barney is a short form of Barnaby ('a son of consolation') or Bernard ('brave as a bear'); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Barney?

It's said BAR-nee /ˈbɑr.ni/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Barney a boy or girl name?

Barney is a boy's name.

How popular is Barney?

Barney is a very rare name in the U.S. today.

💬 Ask Nia